Saddle for bicycles



No. 620,620. Patented Mar. 7, I899.

-W. S. UPSON.

SADDLE FOR BIGYCLES.

A li afionmed Aug. 9, 1897.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES" A TTOHNE m;

m: NORRS Prrzns cc. Puo'rauma. WASHINGTON, nv c NITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILBUR S. UPSON, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO.

SADDLE FOR BICYCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 620,620, dated March '7, 1899.

Application filed August 9, 1 8 9 7.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, WILBUR S. UrsoN, of Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Saddles for Bicycles or Velocipedes and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in saddles for bicycles or velocipedes; and it consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described,

and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a front elevation, partly in section, of a saddle embodying my invention. Fig. II is a top plan of the same, partly in section and partly broken away. Fig. III is a right-hand side elevation relative to the preceding figures, partly in section. Fig. IV is a top plan in section on line IV IV, Fig. I.

My improved saddle for abicyele or velocipede comprises a horizontally-arranged or approximately horizontally-arranged table A, that is seated upon the correspondingly-arranged circular plate or base B and is mounted upon an upright cylindrical lug or bearing Z7,rigid with and projecting upwardly from the central portion of the said plate B. The table A is therefore capable of being oscillated in opposite directions. Table A has in the case illustrated a depending annular flange A that is arranged concentrically of the tables axis and has bearing upon plate B. The space between the bearing b and the inner side of the aforesaid flange A is divided into two compartments or chambers A A arranged at the forward side and rear side, respectively, of the tables axis. The forward chamber A1 is formed between two ribs or flanges A that are integral with the table and are arranged radially of the under side of the forward portion of the table and a suitable distance apart. The rear chamber A is formed in a similar manner-namely, by two flanges or ribs A, that are integral with the table and arranged a suitable distance apart and radially of the under side of the tables rear portion. Within each of the generally-triangular chambers A and A are two corresponding generally-triangular spring-forming blocks R of rubber or Serial No; 647,533. (No model.)

other compressible and elastic material, that are arranged at opposite sides, respectively, of the said chamber and at opposite sides, respectively, of an upright flange or rib B formed upon the supporting-plate B and arranged radially of the table A. It will be observed, therefore, that the said elastic blocks R rest upon the plate B, that the latter has two upwardly-projecting ribs or flanges B formed upon the upper side of the forward portion and rear portion,respectively, of the said plate, and that the forward flange or rib 13 extends between the members of the pair of elastic blocks in the forward chamber A and that the rear rib or flange B extends between the members of the pair of elastic blocks within the rear chamber A and it is obvious also that one of the elastic blocks in each of said compartments will be compressed during the oscillation of the table in the one direction, and that the remaining blocks will be compressed during the'oscillat-ion of the table in the opposite direction, and that the said blocks act to retain the table in its normal position. Although I have shown two pairs of elastic blocks R, I would have it understood that one pair can be made to satisfactorily answer the purpose. Of course by the construction hereinbefore describedthe capability of the said table to oscillate is very limited, and one of the objects of my invention is to provide means that will not permit the table to oscillate too freely, yet accommodate an extent of oscillation sufflcient to render the saddle comfortable to the rider.

Plate B upon its under side'is provided with a sleeve or clip E or other suitable device for holding it to the saddle-post (not shown) of a bicycle or velocipede or to a spring or springs (not shown) supported from said post or other member of the machine.

Lug or bearing?) extends upwardly through and beyond the table A and has nuts or other means uponits upper end at the upper side of the table A and arranged to prevent upward displacement of the said table.

The table A has two laterally and outwardly projecting arms A and A arranged in line and at opposite sides, respectively, of the tables axis, and the said arms are reinforced upon their under sides by ribs A formed thereon and extending outwardly from the ICO depending flange A of the said table. Each of the table-arms A and A bears a horizontally arranged or approximately horizontally-arranged table G, that is capable of oscillating and mounted upon an annular flange A that is formed upon the upper side of the respective table-arm and arranged concentrically of the axis of the said table G, that is provided centrally with a depending cylindrical lug orbearing Gflprojecting downwardly through a corresponding hole in the respective supporting table-arm. Each table G is therefore capable of oscillating in ahorizontal plane, and the pivot-forming lug G extends downwardly through the supporting table-arm and has its lower end at the under side of the said arm provided with nuts n or other means for preventing the upward displacement of the said table. Two ribs or flanges A formed upon the upper side of each of the table-arms A A, extend inwardly from the annular flange A of the said arm and are arranged a suitable distance apart and radially of the table supported by said arm,and within the generally triangular space A formed between the said flanges or ribs,v

are provided two corresponding spring-forming blocks R of rubber or other compressible and elastic material, that rest upon the respective table-arm and are arranged within opposite sides, respectively, of the said space and at opposite sides, respectively, of a rib or flange G formed upon and depending from the superimposed table, which last-mentioned flange or rib is arranged radially of the table. It will be observed, therefore, that the said elastic blocks R are generally triangular in form and act to retain the respective table in the latters normal position, and that one of the said blocks R is compressed during the oscillation of the table in the one direction, and that the other block is compressed during the oscillation of the table in the opposite direction.

By the construction hereinbefore described the tables G G cannot oscillate or vibrate too freely, yet the extent of their capability to oscillate is sufficient to render the saddle much more comfortable than a rigid saddle and the means acting to retain the tables in their normal position is not exposed.

Each table G, as already indicated, bears a seat I, that is preferably circular in plan and constructed in any approved manner. Each seat I is hinged or pivoted horizontally at I to the table supporting it at or near the tables axis and transversely of the table. The upper or seat-forming surface of each seat I slants, preferably, downwardly and inwardly, and the said declination of the two seats toward each other is instrumental in preventing the rider from slipping laterally 0d the saddle. The hinging or pivoting of each seat I to the table supporting it in the manner hereinbefore described accommodates the tilting of said table forwardly, and the said forward tilting of the seat is limited by an elastic stop that consists, preferably, of a block R of rubber or other compressible or elastic substance placed within a cup or pocket G (see Fig. 111,) formed in the for ward side of the said table forward of the latters axis and projecting a suitable distance above the table. The said stop R not only limits the forward tilting of the seat, but accommodates a slight additional tilt upon the seats engagement with thestop. A stop for limiting the movement of the seat in the opposite direction is provided also and consists, preferably, of a setscrew I, that is screwed into a correspondingly-threaded hole I in the under side of the seat, rearwardly of the seats axis.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that each of the seats of the saddle is capable of somewhat tilting forwardly and has the capability to slightly oscillate independently of the other seat, that both seats are capable of being slightly swung simultaneously about a common upright axis, and that by means of said motions and the limited extent of said motions every motion of the rider is accommodated without friction or soreness arising therefrom and without rendering the motions too free for a rider who prefers a saddle that is not too stifi or rigid nor too yielding or accommodating.

What I claim is 1. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating in a horizontal or approximately horizontal plane, the member supporting the said table; a chamber formed between the opposing surfaces of the table and latters support, two stationary compressible and elastic blocks within the said chamber, and the table being provided with means arranged to compress the one or the other block according as the table is oscillated in the one or the other direction, substantially as shown, for the purpose specified.

2. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating in a horizontal plane, the member supporting the said table, two ribs or flanges formed upon one of the opposing surfaces of the said parts and a suitable distance apart, two compressible and elastic blocks interposed between the said flanges or ribs, and a rib or flange formed upon the other of the said opposing surfaces and projecting between the said blocks, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating in a horizontal plane, the support for the said table, two ribs or flanges formed upon one of the opposing surfaces of the said parts and arranged radially of the table, two corresponding compressible and elastic blocks interposed between the said flanges or ribs, and a rib or flange formed upon the other of the said opposing surfaces and arranged radially of the table and projecting between the aforesaid blocks, substantially as shown, for the purpose specified.

4. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating in a horizontal plane, the member supporting the table, two chambers formed between the opposing surfaces of the said table and the latters support at opposite sides, respectively, of the tables axis, a pair of compressible and elastic blocks confined within each of the said chant bers, and ribs or flanges formed upon the other of the opposing surfaces and projecting between the blocks of the two pairs of blocks, substantially as shown, for the purpose specifled.

5. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating in a horizontal plane and provided with a depending annular flange arranged concentrically of the ta- WILBUR S. UPSON.

Witnesses:

JESSE W. LA Dow, JAMES E. UPsoN. 

